New Study Reveals Vulnerabilities for 14 Million
Structures Across the Western U.S.
RICHBURG, S.C., Nov. 2, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- New research shows few states and counties with the
greatest wildfire risk are using sound regulatory approaches backed
by consistent enforcement.
Study shows few Western states with
greatest wildfire risk use sound regulatory approaches with
consistent enforcement.
Living with Wildfire – a report from the Insurance
Institute of Business & Home Safety (IBHS), the National Fire
Protection Association® (NFPA®) and Verisk, examined community
vulnerability and wildfire readiness around the wildland-urban
interface (WUI) in 13 Western states.
Separating wildfire safety from traditional building codes and a
lack of clear guidance on how to integrate them has resulted in
limited use by state and local officials.
"California and Utah are
the only Western states with uniformly enforced statewide codes
specifically addressing wildfire exposures to residential and
commercial properties," said IBHS Managing Director for Standards
& Data Analytics Dr. Ian
Giammanco. "A few local jurisdictions have proactive
approaches, but they stand in sharp contrast to the majority of
counties and local communities that largely fail to comprehensively
address wildfire risks through building codes and up-to-date
planning activities."
While 45 million structures are at risk nationwide, roughly 14
million U.S. structures are at risk from wildfire across the 13
Western states, according to Verisk's Wildfire Risk Analysis. Due
to population growth, inadequate fuel management practices and the
limited use and enforcement of WUI building codes, community
wildfire risk is higher than ever and exacerbated by climate
change.
Despite a federal mandate requiring Community Wildfire
Protection Plans in areas adjacent to national forests and
rangelands, one in four high-risk counties studied lacked plans to
adequately address the risk. Seventeen percent of the counties
examined had not updated their plans in over 10 years.
"NFPA, IBHS and Verisk, among many organizations, have long
recognized that implementing and enforcing statewide policies play
a critical role in reducing wildfire's impact on people and
property," said Michele Steinberg,
director of the NFPA wildfire division. "This report confirms that
the majority of states and jurisdictions at highest risk to
wildfire aren't putting the needed requirements and measures in
place to effectively mitigate wildfire risks. Sadly, as long as
they don't, communities will continue to pay a high price in the
wake of wildfires."
The study also shows there is no correlation between the amount
counties spend on wildfire-related activities and the use of WUI
codes or community wildfire preparedness plans in those
counties.
"Verisk supports coordinated research and education to help
reduce the scope and severity of wildfire losses," said Dr.
Arindam Samanta, director of product
management, Verisk Underwriting Solutions. "This collaboration
represents another step in Verisk's efforts to help insurance
carriers manage wildfire risk and to build stronger, more resilient
communities."
Wildfire disasters affect not only lives and property, but the
safety and effectiveness of the fire service, the ability of
businesses and local governments to recover and the insurance
industry's ability to provide a financial safety net for people to
rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
The report notes local fire departments serve as a vital and
trusted communications link for communities to understand how to
reduce risk. However, support for inspection and outreach programs
is highly variable across the West because local fire departments
often lack both the needed training and financial resources.
About the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
(IBHS)
The IBHS mission is to conduct objective, scientific research to
identify and promote effective actions that strengthen homes,
businesses and communities against natural disasters and other
causes of loss. Learn more at ibhs.org.
About the National Fire Protection Association®
(NFPA®)
Founded in 1896, NFPA® is a global self-funded nonprofit
organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and
economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The
association delivers information and knowledge through more than
300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education,
outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an
interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information,
visit www.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed
online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.
About Verisk
Verisk (Nasdaq: VRSK) is a leading strategic data analytics and
technology partner to the global insurance industry. It empowers
clients to strengthen operating efficiency, improve underwriting
and claims outcomes, combat fraud and make informed
decisions about global risks, including climate change, extreme
events, ESG and political issues. Through advanced data analytics,
software, scientific research and deep industry knowledge, Verisk
helps build global resilience for individuals, communities and
businesses. With teams across more than 20 countries, Verisk
consistently earns certification by Great Place to Work and
fosters an inclusive culture where all team members feel they
belong. For more, visit Verisk.com and the Verisk
Newsroom.
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SOURCE Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety